Plunger device.



G H.R0WE.

PLUGER DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT: 29, 1911. 1,() 1 5,084. Patenti-5d Jan. 16, 1912.

M .d w11.

' plunger, is compressed and tends-toflllpart` UNITED srarns rg'rnnr GEORG-E H. ROWE, 01E BERWYN, ILLNOXS.

Plannen-iru nnvrcn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, i912.,

Application filed September 29, 1911. Serial No. ($51,944:.`

following' is a full, clear, concise, and exact description. y

My invention relates to a plunger mechanism and its object is to provide a device in whichthe plunger though subjected, when set, to a strong thrust tending to operate the same, is nevertheless readily released.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described in which the catch for holding the plunger set is electrically actuated, the plunger being controlled by variations in the current flow in an electric circuit.

The essential feature of my invention consists in a plunger having both a rotary and a longitudinal motion, whereby by locking the plunger against rotary motio'nit is likewise held against longitudinal motion.

My invention may be put to various uses, and l do not wish to be understood as limiting my invention to any particular use. However, for purposes 'of illustration, l. have shown .my invention as embodied in a switch or circuit breaker.

The invention itself and certain novel features of this particular embodiment thereof may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichf Figure 1 is a central, longitudinal section of a single pole switch or circuit breaker embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2?--2 of Fig. l and Fig. 3 is a modification showing my invention as embodied in a double pole switch or circuit breaker.

Similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The plunger l and its mounting or bearings 2, 2 are provided with coperating means for causing the longitudinal motion of said plunger to be dependent upon a simultaneous rotary movement thereof. For y example, the plunger 1 may be provided with ordinary spiral threads 3, 3 and the bearings 2, 2 'are grooves to receive said threads'. Arranged between the head 4 of the plunger and one of its bearings 2 is a coiled compression spring 5 which, in the setv position Vof the rovided with spiral a longitudinal motion to the plunger. Owing to the spiral threads 8, 3 the plunger in order to move longitudinally must also r0- tate. The plunger is held in its set position against rotation by a catch 6 which engages a pin 7 or other like"device projecting radially froml the plunger' head il. vBy this arrangement the plunger is released and allowed to operate by removing the catch out of the path of rotary motion of the pin 7.

The plunger l preferably is inclosed within a soft iron shellA or ,spool 8 upon which are wound coils 9 forming part of an electric circuit. The shell or spool 8 and the coils 9 thus constitute an electromagnet, of which the spool is the core, provided with an armature lO pivoted at 11 upon one of the end flanges of the spool 8. The catch 6 is in tegral with and forms an extension of the larmature 10, and said armature' when attracted releases said catch from engagement said armature in its unattracted position. The bearings 2, Q are preferably inserted in the ends of a tube 13 of liber or other insulating material about which the shell 8 lits. Referring to Fig. 1 the circuit can be traced from the terminall 14 through the winding 9, conductor 15, the bearing 2, plunger 1 the other bearing 2 to the terminal-k6. The structure can be so adjusted that the normal'flow of current in the circuit does notcause the attraction of the armature 10. However, when an abnormal flow causes the armature l0 to be attracted, and thus to release the plunger', the coil spring 5 thereupon is free to impart motion-to the plunger l and said plunger is moved outwardly and the circuit is broken between the end 17 of the plunger and the bearing 2.

ln the drawings I have shown a bracket 18 Aprovided at its end with a stop 19' adapted to form a stop for the head 4t. vIt is obvious that quite a considerable blow may be given by the head- 4 and an important object of my invention is to utilize this for accomplishing various 'useful results. ample, the impact of the head 4,' when the plunger is released, may be utilizedfor tripping an Ordinar-y circuit breaker. In Fig. 8 my invention isshown as embodied in a 'double pole switch in which both of theplungers or bridging elements il are surrounded by a common tubular core 8. Arranged. within the core 8 is a ber block L 13 provided wit-l1 two longitudinal bores in with the pin 7. .A spring 12 normally holds For eX- loo ine opposite ends oi which the bearings 2 are supported. llhe structure is otherwise substantially' identical with that already described. v

rlhe circuit in Fig. Scan be traced over one leg from the terminal 2G vto bushing 2, plunger l, bushing 2, to the line 2l. The circuit over the other leg may be traced from the terminal 22, bushing, plunger l, bushing 2, conductor lead 23, Winding 9,' to the line 2li. Each leg oir the circuit has thus included therein a switch adapted to open the circuit in case of abnormal currentflow. The plunger l and its bearings 2, 2 may be made of any suitable material.. ln case the plunger l and the bearings 2, 2 are to form part of an electric circuit, as in the embodiment of my invention described hereinbefore, the'material may be selected which is best suited for the purpose needed, as for example, they may be made ot' copper, can bon or other suitable conducting material. Since the air gap between the end of the armature l0 and the corresponding pole of the magnet is very small ythe device will operate on either alternating or direct current, and application ot my invention is not limited. in this respect.

What l claim is:

l. The combination with a plunger' and means for imparting a rotary-longitudinal motion thereto, of a catch for holding said plunger in set position, and automatically operated means for releasing said catch.

2. The combination with plunger and means for imparting a rotary-longitudinal motion thereto, of a catch for holding said plunger in set position, and electrically actuated. means t'or releasing said catch,

The combination with a plunger and means for imparting a rotary-longitudinal motion thereto, of a catch interposed in the path of rotary-motion of said plunger for holding the same in set position, and means for operating said catch yto release said plunger.

1i. The combination with a plunger and itsA mounting provided .with cooperating means for causing the longitudinal motion of said plunger to be dependent upon a simultane* ous rotary motion thereof, of means tending to impart longitudinal motion to said plunger, a catch for holdingsaid plunger in Q imacat set position against rotary 'imotioin and automatically operated means for releasing .said catch;

5. The combination With a spring actuated plunger and its mounting, said plunger l tion against rotary motion, and electrically actuated means for operating said catch to release said plunger.

6. The combination with a plunger, ot means for imparting a rotary-longitudinal motion to said plunger, and means for hold ing said plunger in said position by interposing a stop in the path oi the rotary motion oit said plunger.

7. lhe combination with a plunger and means for imparting a rotary-longitudinal motion thereto, of an electromagnet and its armature, said armature being provided with a catch arranged in oneof the alternate positions of said armature to be interposed in the path of rotary motion of said plunger. y

8. The combination with a plunger and its mounting, said plunger 'and mounting haring a spiral engagement with each other to provide a rotary-longitudinal niotion of said plunger, a coiled compression spring tending to impart Vlongitudinal motion to said plunger, and a catch larranged to be interposed in the path of rotary motion'of said plungerand thereby to hold the same in set position.

9. The combination with a plunger and its mounting, said plunger and its mounting having a spirally threaded engagement with each other, a coiled compression spring surrounding said plunger and arranged to be compressed in the set position. of said plunger, a catch 'for holding said plunger against rotary motion, and electrically actuated means for releasing said catch.

in Witness whereof, l, hereunto subscribe my name this 26th day of September, A. D.,

GEORGE l-l. RUVVE. l/Vitnesses:

A. li'. ll/loonn,

MGCLELLAND YOUNG. 

